Stalemate at The Tomlin Personnel Stadium

Rainworth’s poor start to the season, was lifted by last week’s home win, so much so that they were disappointed to have only drawn today’s game at The Tomlin Personnel Stadium.

It was far from a classic, with the strong wind a major factor, in a game neither side were prepared to take a backward step.

Rainworth kicked off with the strong wind at their back and they almost took the lead in the 3rd minute but Aiden Harris’s snapshot went the wrong side of the upright. Teversal almost conceded in the 13th minute, when they had Gareth Briggs to thank in saving a deflection off his own player.

Rainworth continued to press and Harris was unlucky not to get on the end of Max Curzon’s cross. They almost paid the price however a minute later, when they over-committed and Will Spray did well to block the goal-bound effort with Josh Hollis caught out.

The rest-bite was only temporary as Harris went close with a diving header and Blessing Adeleye’s effort on the turn from distance went wide. Then from Callum Pursglove’s driven corner Spray headed over.

Teversal should have scored in the 30th minute when Ben Agbakosi put his effort wide with the goal at his mercy. A minute later and Agbakosi’s cross cum-shot was tapped in at the far post by Aaron Williamson at the far post for the opener.

The goal had come against the run of play, but Rainworth continued to press and when in the 36th minute they were awarded a free-kick, Jono Drake followed up last week’s stunner with another this time into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

Neither side were able to add to their totals as the referee blew for half-time, but it was Teversal who went in the happier of the two sides.

The game was more evenly contested in the opening period of the second-half, but it was Rainworth who took the lead in the 52nd minute when Harris found Adeleye who beat his marker and placed it into the bottom corner.

With the elements at their back Teversal started to press higher up the field and when a long-ball found Matt Wilkinson his effort went over.

At the other end probably, the move of the match saw the ball worked to Harris but his through ball was just reached by Briggs before Adeleye.

Both sides had chances as Harris’s effort from distanced went well wide and Hollis did well to reach the ball before Williamson when a defender’s back-header lacked pace.

Rainworth were forced into replacing the influential Harris with Nick Fry, when he was unable to continue with a leg injury.

Minutes later Rainworth paid the price for a reckless tackle and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Williamson gave Hollis no chance, blasting it into the corner.

Rainworth made their second substitution in the 85th minute bringing on Matt Fowler for Adeleye.

Rainworth almost snatched all the points at the death when a wayward clearance by Briggs found Curzon, but his effort was inches wide of the upright. It was the last meaningful effort before the referee blew for the end of the match.